Air circulator for orchards and field crops



Dec. 1, 1953 L. B. GASKILL 2,661,068

AIR CIRCULATOR FOR ORCHARDS AND FIELD CROP S Filed Sept. 2, 1950 v 3Sheeqs-Sheet l 450 B. G'HSH/L z.

IN V EN TOR.

HTI'dEA/EV L. B. GASKILL AIR CIRCULATOR FOR ORCHARDS AND FIELD CROPSDec. 1, 1953 3 Sheets-Shes Filed Sept. 2, 1950 50 5. GQS/d/LL INVENTOR.

QTTOQNEV Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED ES PATENT OFFICE AIR GIRCULATQBFOR ORGHARDS- AND FIELD CROPS This invention relates to a device "forthe {an culation of air, and which is particularly adapted for useinorchards, field crops, or the lik'e,'t'o prevent frost damage. 1 7

Traditionally, the heating of orchards, fields, or groves, whereinit isdesired-to protect tender trees and crops from freezing temperatures,has been accomplished-by the use of individual orchard heaters utilizingthe heating "efie'ct of the combustion of ma oil, and the like. Thissystem isoften used "for citrus groves. Such use of orchard heaters isdisadvantageous, operation being cumbersomerand undesirable 's'mud'ge isproduced. Accordingly, some attempts have been made to supersede the useof such or'chard heaters by the use of devices for the production of thecirculation of air masses, it being well known that the circulation of'air will elevate the atmospheric temperature.

It is one object of this invention to provide a novel and improvedmechanism for the circulation of air designed to protect trees and crops"from freezing temperatures.

In achieving an improved operation, use is made of a novel design'oiimpeller blades whereby a pressure is imposed broadly iipbn the lowerlevels of air in order to prevent the rise'of air that has been warmeddurin the day, rather than recreate extreme turbulence thatWill'di'sisipate this warmed air. Accordingly, the inlp'eller blades areof substantial "anguiar width, and'a're designed to extend "generallyatan angle to the axis of rotation, and to b rotated at relatively slowspeeds.

It is another object of this inventionto 'p'rovide a device ofthis'character that is eubstan- "tially noiseless in operation. Thisobject is achieved by providing a device that can be rotated "atrelatively low speeds and yet produce th'e'des'ired results. v 7

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of thischaracter that can be adfjuste'd to control the'fiow pattern of air inorder to meet the particularrequirements of groves or orchards designedto be heated, Accordingly, novel means are provided for adjusting theangle of the 'impellerblade's to'the aids of rotation of the deviceaccording 'to the extent and topography of the grove or orchard designedto be heated. v I

It'is still a 'further ob'ject of this invention to provide a device ofthis character that can be adjusted to'bbntrol the velocity of air being'cir- 'culat'ed, and the'pre's'siire 'being'iriipos'ed on the lowerlevels -bf air, all in accordance with the needs orthe system.

It' is sun a further objector 'thisinve'n'tionto p'rovide'a device-fcharacterfthat afiectsthe surrounding air 'fli'n a no directional fnanrer, fiifiifii)aiiliilg bfitiiiiidiis pressure and *velbenw conditions'onthe surrounding air. For this purpose, the mechanism is "designed tobe rotated about a vertical axis.

'It is "still a further object of this invention to provide a device ofthis character that is simple in structure, but yet sturdy and efiicientin operation. I

It is 'still a further object of this invention to provide a device ofthis character that ha'snovel provisions whereby the operative parts ofthe device can 'be readily reached for maintenance and repair, and thatfacilitates the installation or the device. For this purpose, meansar'ep'rovid'ed whereby the entire apparatus may be moved to horizontalposition.

This invention possesses many "other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration ofseveralembodiments'of the invention. For this purpose there are shown afew forms in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the presexitspecification. These forms will now be de scribed in detail,illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to beunderstood that this detailed description is not to b taken in alimiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by theappended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is "a plan View of a device incorporatingone form ofthis'invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, with parts partly broken away, showing theentire apparatus;

Fig. 3 is asecti'ona'l view, taken along th plane indicated byline33 ofFig. 2;

Fig.4 is a view taken in the direction of the plane indicated by line1-4 of Fig. 2, some of the blades being'omitted;

' Fig. 5 is an elevation, a portion of which'is broken away toillustrate the manner in which the pitch offthe blade maybe selectivelyadjusted, andalso partly in section along a plane corresponding to line'5'-'-5 of Fig. 4 to illustrate themanner in which the upper supportingmeans for the tiltable mechanism may be selectively adjusted;

Fig. -6 is a sectional view, taken along the planeindic'atedby line 6-6of Fig. 5, the view diagrammatically illustrating one of the adjustmentsof the mechanism;

Fig. [7 is a view, partly in section, illustrating =-a-modi'i'ied formof this invention;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in section. taken in the direction indicated byarrows 8 8 of Fig. '7, "scine'o'ff-the blades being omitted; and

Fig. 9 is a view of the drivingapparatus, partly in sectiomtaken in thedirection-of the arrows t -"9 of Fig. 7.

k The surrounding mass of air 'iscirculated for fheatingfpurpcses by apluralityof impellerblades $8 (in-this iilstance, there are three),These 3 blades are mounted in such a manner that they are rotatableabout a vertical axis A, so that they may set up a how of air in thesurrounding vicinity.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, such mounting isprovided by the support ii, a cylindrical housing l2 forming a mastmounted on the support II, a support or hub member [3 joined to a rotaryshaft 48, and mounted on the housing [2, as by the aid of an appropriatethrust bearing structure H (see Figs. 4 and 5), and a plurality ofplates 15 secured to the hub l3 and substantially equiangularly spacedthereof. To each impeller blade it is secured a base or disc i6,respectively adapted to be adjustably supported on the plates i5 carriedby the hub i3 in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

Each of the plates i5 is mounted on the hub it in such a manner thatthey may be adjusted to control the angle of each blade ill with respectto the vertical axis A. The control of the angle of the blade ill to thevertical will, in turn, control the flow pattern of the air. Thus,depending upon the angle which the blade it makes with the axis ofrotation A, the air can be directed to reach a larger or smaller area ofland, all depending upon the particular needs of the installation.Further, this adjustment can compensate for the particular topography ofthe land designed to be affected.

For this purpose of adjusting the angle of the blades it with respect tothe axis of rotation A, each of the plates 15 is angularly adjustableabout an axis displaced from the axis of rotation of the hub I3, andtransverse thereto. Accordingly, the hub I3 carries near its periphcry aplurality of pairs of ears I! that may be welded, or otherwise secured,to the hub [3. Short shafts ii: are attached, at their ends, within theears i'i. Plates it carry brackets lil through which the shafts pass.The shafts thus pivotally support the plates IS on horizontal axes,adjacent the periphery of these plates.

For fixing the particular desired angle at which plates it are inclined,a central sleeve 2i secured to the hub 43, carried a plurality ofbrackets M, respectively cooperating with the plates it. Each brackethas a face Zia at a substantially constant distance from the axis ofadjustment of the respective plate, as defined by cars it (Fig. 5). Eachplate i5, at its inner face, carries a right-angle extension 22, adaptedto cooperate with the bracket 2!. The adjacent faces of each bracket 21and cooperating extension 22 have clearance for permitting relativeadjustment thereof. This extension 22 provides a through aperture Thebracket 21 has a plurality of apertures 24 adapted selectively toregister with the aperture 23 of the extension 22. The extension 22 isadapted thereby to be pin-connected to the bracket 2!, as by the aid ofbolt assembly 25. Proper choice of an aperture determines the angularposition of plate I5.

Any suitable type of blade may be incorporated in the structure. In thisinstance, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, the blade If! isformed of plane surfaces, there being a tip portion 26 that may beformed by bending the tip about an axis transverse to the axis of theblade, the axis of bending being preferably inclined to provide aleading edge for the blade I0,

shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

Each blade is provided with turned-up edges 28. A channel rib 29 formsthe basic structural support for the blade l0, and the rib 29 may besubstantially centrally disposed thereof, and secured to the blade in asby the use of rivets, or by welding.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the rib 29 is secured to thedisc is near the periphery of the disc, as by welding, and an auxiliarybrace 39 serves to add rigidity to the system by con necting the rib 29to the plate it at a place on the disc [6 opposite the rib 29.

The disc i6 is adjustably attached to the adjustable plate 15, as by theaid of a bolt asses bly 31, extending through substantially centrallydisposed through apertures of the plate It and the disc l6,respectively. By this connection any angular adjustment of the plate isabout the axis formed by the shaft l8 will be transmitted to the bladeIll, and a rotation of the hub I3 will cause corresponding rotation ofthe blades ID.

The particular mounting of the blades ii), utilizing the plate I5 anddisc ii is such that, with comparative ease, provisions can be made toadjust the pitch of the blades it! in order further to control the flowcharacteristics of air designed to be circulated. Thus, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 4 and 6, one of the members coupled by the boltassembly 3!, in this instance, the plate :5, is provided with aplurality of through apertures 32 spaced at intervals along an arc ofwhich the bolt assembly 31 forms the center. The other member, in thisinstance the disc it, carries a removable pin 33 having a shank portionadapted to extend through any one of the apertures 32. To renderpossible such adjustment, the bolt assembly 31 is first loosened. Toretain the pin 33 in place, suitable means, such as a key connection(it, may be used. The blade iii being joined to the disc I 6 illustratesthat, by appropriate positioning of the pin 33, the pitch of the bladeI0 can be varied.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, the blades it may be supportedin the desired position by the use of support members 35, extendingrespectively between each adjacent blade it, and suitably adjustablysecured thereto. Also provided are the support members at, extendingfrom the blades is to a central ring 3'2 and designed to resist theforces acting on blades it due to their rotation.

The support ii for the device is mounted on a base 38 in a mannerpermissive of rotation about a horizontal axis in order that themechanism may be reached for repair or adjustment, and also tofacilitate the original installation of the device. For this purpose, asshown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the base 38 and support ii arehinged together. The base 38 carries a beam 39 v hi h, in turn, carriesa horizontal shaft it by the aid of brackets ii. Appropriate brackets-32, cooperable with the shaft iii, are secured to the base H, as by theaid of bolt assemblies at. For securing the support H in horizontalposition, the base 38 also carries a beam i i with which bolt assemblies55 may cooperate.

In the vertical position of the mechanism, suitable guy wires or thelike, may be attached to the housing It by the aid of a collar ii.

For imparting rotation to the hub is and the blades iii, the shaft is,appropriately coupled to the hub i3 and extending through the housing:2, is adapted to be rotated by a driving mechanism including, in thisinstance, a motor is mounted on the base 38 (see Figs. 2 and 3). In-

terposed between the housing 12 and the support H is a gear housing 50accommodating a pair of intermeshing bevel gears 5| and 52, the gear 52being secured to the shaft 48. The bevel gear 5i is suitably supportedin the gear housing 55, and secured to the gear 5i is a drive shaft 53extending through the housing 50. The shaft 53 carries a sprocket wheel54 adapted to cooperate with a continuous chain 55. For moving the chain55, the motor is also carries a sprocket wheel 56 cooperable with thechain 55. The use of the chain drive mechanism permits ready disassemblyof the motor :39 from the remainder of the drive mechanism so that, whendesired, the support H carrying the mechanism can be rotated about thehinge 40, 42.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the bladeassembly is illustrated as substantially identical to the form shown inthe form of Figs. 1 to 6. However, in the present instance, thesupporting structure for the blade 10 is simplified.

A blade support 60, generally of hollow, frustoconical shape, provides aplurality of substantially plane faces 5| substantially equiangularlydisposed about the support 60. These faces 6| cooperate respectively theblade discs 15 in a manner not dissimilar from the manner in which theplates [5 of the form of Figs. 1 to 6 cooperate therewith, for thepurpose of permitting ready adjustment of the pitch of the blades [0 tocontrol the flow characteristics of the air designed to be circulated.

Substantially centrally of each face 6|, as seen most clearly in Fig. 8,there is provided an aperture 62 with which a bolt assembly 63cooperates to secure the blade disc l6 thereto. Any one of a number ofarcuately spaced apertures 54 cooperates with the removable pin 33 ofthe blade disc I6, whereby the pitch of the blade I0 is capable ofadjustment.

The support 60 is mounted for rotation with a hollow drive shaft 65. Thesupport 60 rests on a shaft casing 66 for relative rotation with respectthereto. For this purpose, a roller bearing support is provided. Onerace 61 is carried by the end of the casing 66, and another race 68 iscarried interiorly of the support 60 by means of an annular flange 69and a shoulder 10 thereof. Disposed between the race members 61 and 68are suitable rolling elements H.

Forming a driving connection between the shaft 65 and the support 60 area pair of semicircular coupling elements 12, each having depending lugs13 cooperable with corresponding slots 14 in a driving extension 15 ofthe upper base 16 of the support 60. The coupling elements 12 areclamped to the shaft 65 by means of bolt assemblies 11 passing throughopposed ears 18 of the elements 12.

The shaft 65 may be rotated by suitable means, such as is illustrated inconnection with the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

While the angle of the support for the blades 10 is not capable ofadjustment in the construction illustrated, the support member 50 hasfaces 6| inclined at the particular angle thatthe installation requires.Different support members 60 can, of course, be used in thisconstruction. The construction promotes interchangeability of supports60, assembly of the apparatus being easily accomplished.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus of the character described: a hub rotary about a firstaxis; means supported by the hub providing a second axis spaced from thefirst axis and in a direction at a right angle to a plane including thefirst axis; a plate pivoted on said means about said second axis fortilting movement of said plate; adjustable means interconnecting the huband the plate for maintaining said plate in any of a number of angularposi tions about said second axis; and a blade structure having a base;said plate having means providing a third axis about which the bladebase is angularly adjustable, said third axis and the first axis lyingin a plane normal to the second axis.

2. In a device of the character described: a hub rotary about a firstaxis; a plate having a surface; means mounting said plate on said hubfor tilting movement of said surface about a second axis normal to oneplane including said first axis, said second axis being spaced from saidfirst axis; adjustable means interconnecting the hub and the plateremote from said second axis for maintaining said plate in any of anumber of angular positions about said second axis; a blade structurehaving a base, said base having a surface substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of the blade and in engagement With said surface ofsaid plate; said plate having means providing a third axis normal tosurfaces about which said blade base is angularly adjustable; meansinterconnecting said plate and base remote from said third axis formaintaining said base in any one of a number of angular positions aboutsaid third axis with respect to said plate; said third axis lying insaid one plane.

3. In a device of the character described: a hub rotary about a firstaxis; a plate having a surface; means mounting said plate on said hubfor tilting movement of said surface about a second axis normal to oneplane including said first axis, said second axis being spaced from saidfirst axis; means remote from said second axis for maintaining saidplate in any of a number of angular positions about said second axisincluding an adjustable removable connection between said plate and saidhub; a blade structure having a base, said base having a surfacesubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the blade and inengagement with said surface of said plate; said plate having meansproviding a third axis normal to surfaces about which said blade base isangularly adjustable; means remote from said third axis for maintainingsaid base in any one of a number of angular positions about said. thirdaxis with respect to said plate including a removable connection betweensaid base and said plate; said third axis lying in said one plane.

LEO B. GASKILL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 316,655 Pittman Apr. 28, 1885 483,545 Cutten Oct. 4, 1892794,010 Hayden July 4, 1905 851,660 Harding Apr. 30, 1907 1,583,864Tucker .May 11, 1926 2,529,339 Irvine et a1. Nov. 7, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 113,324 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1918 321,725France July 24, 1905 474,747 Germany Apr. 13, 1929

